There are few things more frustrating than getting to a travel destination with your MacBook and not being able to use it properly. Remember Murphy’s Law, “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.” These tips will help you be prepared for at least some applications of Murphy’s Law.

Stay Charged Up

• Power is always a problem when you’re traveling; your battery only lasts so long. These tips will help you get the most out of it.
• Plug in at every opportunity. Whenever you find an electrical outlet, plug in and recharge your battery. Layovers in an airport are a great opportunity to recharge.
• If you re traveling out of country, make sure you have electrical adaptors. Few places in the world uses 110 AC current except the US and Canada, so make sure you have the adaptors you need.
• Turn off features you aren’t using—like AirPort—whenever you’re on battery. You can also dim down your screen to save a little battery life.
• Take an extra battery with you.

Security

• One of the most devastating things that can happen when you are traveling is to have your computer stolen. It is a common occurrence; laptops are easily identifiable, accessible to thieves and valuable. Here are some ways to protect your MacBook.
• Don’t use a conventional laptop case. Pack your MacBook in your carryon or something that doesn’t scream, “Laptop! Steal me!” to thieves.
• Use caution when going through security—this is a common place for thieves to snag computers. If you have a traveling companion, have one person go through the metal detector first, then send your computers through, then the other person goes through. If you are traveling alone, ask the security people to check your laptop by hand or to hold it for you while you go through the metal detector.
• Keep your MacBook in physical contact with you at all times, and keep it where you can see it. When you must let go of it—like when you go through security, don’t let it out of your sight.
• Don’t keep your MacBook in a backpack on your back where you can’t see it.
• If you leave your MacBook in your hotel room, hide it and remove the hard drive and take that with you.
• A better option is to lock your computer in the hotel safe when you leave it behind.
• If you are a frequent traveler, consider getting a GPS tracking device or a motion sensor to tag your computer. You keep the master unit on you, and it alarms if your computer gets too far away from you.

Have What You Need

• Take any cables and software you might need with you. That includes a phone cord and an Ethernet cable for those old school connection locations.
• If you have room, take your AirPort Express with you. You can plug it into an Ethernet adaptor and have wireless capability so that you aren’t chained to a desk when you’re using your MacBook. (Be sure to bring the necessary cables.)
• Take a card reader with you or camera cables for transferring your pictures. That way, you can easily download your pictures every day and won’t need extra memory cards for your camera.
• Make sure you have the contact information and account numbers for your ISP provider and tech support—just in case.

Taking a few precautions and making sure you have the things you might need when you travel will thwart Murphy, and you’ll be able to use your MacBook wherever you need it.